The performance of coatings when influenced by external stresses caused by stretching, bending or impacts, determines their suitability for their designed application.

A coating designed for use in the coil coating industry, for example, should have the ability to stretch as the substrate is formed into its desired shape without damage. Deformation or damage would reduce the protective quality and appearance including color change, adhesion etc.

Further, a coating designed for industrial use should be able to withstand impacts during the life of the product.

In order to characterize a coating’s performance to elongation and deformation, a number of repeatable and reproducible tests have been developed.